Spike

Test results showed that Spike does not have Cushing disease. So now we just go on--no treatment.

Spike was very spunky today. :)

Spike

I took Spike to the vet today for some tests. I had to leave him for a few hours and then pick him up. On my first trip at 12:15 pm, it was 88 degrees at the ranch (hot and muggy). On the way back, it was pouring rain in Pine Valley and it was wet, but not raining, at the ranch. The temperature had fallen to a perfect 70 degrees. Nice and cool. By 4:15 pm, Dennis was home so we both went to pick up Spike. It was again 88 degrees outside. And, again, driving back through Pine Valley, it really poured, I mean serious rain plus lightning and thunder. This time the temperature dropped to 68 degrees at the ranch. Too bad it doesn't last.

The news about Spike was not too good. His one kidney has shut down and the other one is taking up the slack. Tomorrow we should get the results of a blood test that will probably show he has Cushings. The vet said there is medication that will treat the disease. He shook his head and said he didn't know how much longer Spike has to live, but he's a real fighter. I guess we will love him and take care of him until he has to leave us.

One and one-quarter inch

Last night's rain measured 1-1/4 inch in our rain gauge on the front patio. It was cool, but muggy, when we walked this morning. It looked like we had a tiny flash flood off the road onto our walking trail. Not too much damage, though.

Spike still doesn't want to walk with us. Today I'm taking him in for some blood tests and a sonogram to see what's going on with him. The poor little guy is just getting old--16 years now, going on 17. Wow.

First thing this morning, after my pet feeding and kitchen chores, I worked in the glass shop for awhile; came back around 7 and then we took our walk. After breakfast, I'll have my riding lesson. Betsy is coming over early--around 8:30. It's 8:10 now, so I'd better get down there.

Spike

Last Friday, Spike, our 16-year-old Yorky, gave us a scare. At about 9 p.m., he had a seizure that seemed to go on for several minutes. Afterwards, he was disoriented, walking into corners and roaming around the house. He didn't seem to know where he was. He slowly came out of it after about an hour and eventually went to sleep on his bed in the living room. I, however, didn't sleep a wink all night. On Saturday I took him to the vet. They took an exray, but the only thing they could find was an enlarged liver (double the normal size).

I found out something interesting. They told me that seizures seem to happen at the same time of day...a day later or two or a year later. There's no way of knowing, but it will probably happen at the same time of day. Huh. Also, I was relieved to learn that there is no pain involved. It looked like Spike was in terrible pain, but they said no. It's neurological only--no physical pain.

As of today, Spike is acting like his normal self--eating or sleeping all day for the most part. He spends a lot of time in the closet.

T.R.O.T.

We need to change our name from Trail Ride on Thursday to No Trail Ride on Thursday. Between vacations and bad weather (today), we haven't had many trail riding days lately. The rest of the month doesn't look good either. Joyce has obligations for two Thursdays and I have jury duty on a Thursday, too. Today was cold and windy so we canceled our ride.

The Prius had a bath this morning and the new floor mats came in, too; later Mom and I drove Spike to the vet to get his stitches out. He is good to go now.

Spike is Back

Yesterday morning I drove through the rain and fog the 30 miles to Alpine to pick up Spike from the pet hospital. I hate it when he has to stay overnight. He hates it too. When we got home, Spike ran up the little hill from the carport to the house and blasted through his doggy door. By the time I caught up with him he was giving me his "feed me" stare. So I did. And then I did it again. He was starved. He ate a whole can of Mighty Dog instead of just a half can. Then he wanted a cookie. Is that great or what?

Spike takes a Walk

Spike hasn't been wanting to walk with us for a while now. Granted, the weather has been bad until the last few days. On Saturday, however, we grabbed him before he hid in the closet and took him out the back gate. Once he was out, he was happy to go along and sniff his way on the trail around the ranch. We always have to look back to be sure he hasn't been distracted by a squirrel or intriguing aroma. Mostly, he keeps up and sometimes even passes us. When we get back home, Spike expects and gets a cookie. He's such a good boy.